Mobilise internal resources, Zim urged

While calls have been made to lure investment from abroad, pleas have also intensified for internal resource mobilisation for the development agenda to gain momentum.

Zimbabwe is eager for investment and the calls have been on locals in the diaspora to plough back into the country’s development.

The agreement is that once investors realise that Zimbabweans are confident with their economy, then it will not be long before capital starts flowing in.

In this vein, provinces such as Manicaland, have been urged to take advantage of the avalanche of investment expected.

“We need to have private public partnerships. The cry is that there is no money but the resources that are there can be used to create wealth,” Chartered Institute Of Project Managers Executive Director, Dr Proctor Nyemba said.

“A strong appetite to import what we can produce locally shows that we have numerous shortcomings as a nation and that must come to a stop,” ARDA Board Chairperson, Mr Basil Nyabadza said.

“We need to eradicate poverty and create jobs for all. As Zimbabweans, we need to be at the forefront of ensuring that we show faith in our economy,” said Cde Monica Mutsvangwa, the Minister of State for Manicaland Provincial Affairs.

There is also a feeling of high expectation within the government that Zimbabwe is slowly becoming an investors’ darling on the continent as a result of its diverse offerings.

“Provinces such as Manicaland have minerals such as diamonds as well as gold. Such a province should be declared a special economic zone,” the Speaker of the National Assembly, Advocate Jacob Mudenda said.

“We need to ensure that our policies are clear to all would be investors. From what we have seen on the ground, the country is now on a recovery path to recovery and many investors are keen to put their money in the country,” the Special Advisor to the President, Cde Christopher Mutsvangwa said.

With momentum gathering to ensure that Zimbabwe is open for business, Manicaland province became the first to host an investment forum where government officials and business leaders had the opportunity to interface on how best investment and the unique offerings can be packaged in order to lure the much needed investment.

The business conferences are expected to add further impetus as well as highlight that Zimbabweans are keen to chart their own destiny as well as open new economic frontiers.